Dec. 3, 1970: The U.S. Senate votes against funding development of the Boeing SST, effectively killing the project.

Dec. 3, 1970: The U.S. Senate votes against funding development of the Boeing SST, effectively killing the project.

Photo: Courtesy Photo, U.S. Civilian

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Dec. 4, 1967: Sam Smith is sworn in as the first African-American member of the Seattle City Council, a position he would hold for 24 years.

Dec. 4, 1967: Sam Smith is sworn in as the first African-American member of the Seattle City Council, a position he would hold for 24 years.

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Dec. 5, 1974: NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle announces the awarding of a franchise to Seattle; it would become known as the Seahawks.

Dec. 5, 1974: NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle announces the awarding of a franchise to Seattle; it would become known as the Seahawks.

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Dec. 5, 1991: The Seattle Art Museum opens in its new location at First Avenue and University Street.

Dec. 5, 1991: The Seattle Art Museum opens in its new location at First Avenue and University Street.

Photo: LINDSEY WASSON, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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Dec. 6, 1913: The ferry Leschi, first to carry autos, begins service across Lake Washington.

Dec. 6, 1913: The ferry Leschi, first to carry autos, begins service across Lake Washington.

Photo: Webster And Stevens Collection, MOHAI

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Dec. 6, 1924: The Olympic Hotel opens for business downtown on a block bordered by Fourth and Fifth avenues, and University and Seneca streets. It's still in business, as the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Dec. 6, 1924: The Olympic Hotel opens for business downtown on a block bordered by Fourth and Fifth avenues, and University and Seneca streets. It's still in business, as the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

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Dec. 8, 1941: A crowd of more than 1,000 riots in downtown Seattle, smashing the windows of businesses that failed to turn lights off under a blackout the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Dec. 8, 1941: A crowd of more than 1,000 riots in downtown Seattle, smashing the windows of businesses that failed to turn lights off under a blackout the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Photo: MOHAI, Seattle-Post-Intelligencer Collection

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Dec. 9, 1947: Federal funds are secured, allowing planning and construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct to go forward.

Dec. 9, 1947: Federal funds are secured, allowing planning and construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct to go forward.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archive

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Dec. 10, 1930: The Denny Regrade is completed, lowering Denny Hill north of downtown by removing almost 6 million cubic yards of dirt and dumping it into Elliott Bay.

Dec. 10, 1930: The Denny Regrade is completed, lowering Denny Hill north of downtown by removing almost 6 million cubic yards of dirt and dumping it into Elliott Bay.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

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Dec. 10, 2016: The Seattle Sounders win their first MLS championship in Toronto, in the sixth round of penalty kicks.

Dec. 10, 2016: The Seattle Sounders win their first MLS championship in Toronto, in the sixth round of penalty kicks.

Photo: Claus Andersen/Getty Images

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Dec. 12, 2007: The South Lake Union Streetcar begins service. Some wags substitute the word "trolley" for "streetcar" and use the acronym "SLUT."

Dec. 12, 2007: The South Lake Union Streetcar begins service. Some wags substitute the word "trolley" for "streetcar" and use the acronym "SLUT."

Dec. 31, 1999: Mayor Paul Schell orders the evacuation of the Seattle Center grounds but lets the fireworks show go on; these spectators were outside the grounds. The city was still jittery a month after the WTO riots and a few weeks after the arrest of terrorist trainee Ahmed Ressam in Port Angeles. less

Dec. 31, 1999: Mayor Paul Schell orders the evacuation of the Seattle Center grounds but lets the fireworks show go on; these spectators were outside the grounds. The city was still jittery a month after the ... more

Photo: Daniel Sheehan, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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Major December events in Seattle history

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From city beginnings to a recent team of champions, December often has been a momentous month in Seattle history.

Seattle was incorporated in December; so, too, was King County established, with Seattle as the county seat. The Seahawks were born in December, and so were the late, lamented SuperSonics. Downtown landmarks opened for the first time in December -- an art museum, a major theater, a world-class hotel, an urban plaza where cars aren't allowed.

There have been moments of tragedy in the month of December -- a major fire, a devastating windstorm, a terrorism scare. But December also has been a month of triumph -- the city's first African-American council member, the beginnings of major mass-transit endeavors, and an MLS Cup, the city's first.